<p>Carolyn:</p>
<p>The best prep for the critical reading section is a lot of close reading, the kind that your D probably did for her AP-Euro history. I don't think there are real shortcuts to getting good scores on that section.</p>
<p>Our GC recommended that kids read the Sunday op-ed pieces in top newspapers like the NYTimes so they can get the 'look and feel' for a short, persuasive essay, for the new writing section.</p>
<p>"The best prep for the critical reading section is a lot of close reading, the kind that your D probably did for her AP-Euro history. I don't think there are real shortcuts to getting good scores on that section."</p>
<p>This also means skills learned over a long period of time. My son was in debate, in which he had to do massive amounts of reading and learn to extract critical bits of information. I think kids in Quiz Bowl or debate or other "intellectual" extracurriculars probably read a lot more than most others.</p>
<p>Marite and Mackinaw - I agree - that's why it's important to load up on the hardest curriculum and best teachers you can manage. I'm just hoping that my daughter's reading and writing section scores on this year's PSAT and SAT will correspond to her sophomore year PSAT scores - they would be fine, great even, for the schools she is interested in. </p>
<p>The math...well, she has to do a lot better or those good verbal/writing scores won't matter. :) That's why she's concentrating on math prep.</p>
<p>Princeton Review is awesome, they raised my score so much.</p>
<p>Kaplan is worthless, never use them!!</p>
<p>Hi, I'm new to the discussion board. Could someone please define "xiggi" for me? Thanks.</p>
<p>Xiggi was a frequent poster on the archived board, occasionally posting now (he is a freshman at Claremont McKenna this year) and has made a serious study of the SAT. He has provided quite a bit of advice on how to study for the SAT - what is fondly referred to as "the Xiggi method" (reading a prep book for test-taking strategies and actually taking/reviewing real SAT tests).</p>
<p>Thanks so much, fireflyscout!</p>
<p>OK...I'll be the "odd man out" here. Both DS (who is in college) and DD (who is a jr in high school) need some experience with the SAT format and test taking tips. However, neither has the self discipline to do this themselves via the Xiggi method (which I DO believe is very good). In addition, our high school doesn't offer much for test prep. So...DS took the Kaplan course. Yes it's pricey, but he felt it was worthwhile. He took the course after his first SAT of 1090. His second SAT was 1320. Not a bad improvement although I wouldn't attribute it ALL to the prep course. DD will be taking the prep course before her first SAT this spring. Her PSAT scores weren't awful, but they weren't terrific (71st %ile). She said she would feel better being better prepared, and she also doesn't have the self discipline to do it herself. Believe me, if there were any other kind of prep course in this area, I would at least look into it...but there isn't anything worthwhile. The one run by continuing education is NOT worth the time.</p>
<p>But if your child does have the discipline to self-study, then the Xiggi method works quite well. As I recall, Xiggi suggested that you take 1-2 real SATs, checking the answer sheet as you go, making certain to analyze both wrong and correct answers to understand the nature of the questions. After that, take several practice tests under test conditions (Xiggi, please correct me if I've got this wrong!). My daughter used this method last March, and did very well on the SAT.</p>
<p>Several posters are eagerly waiting for Xiggi to start a new SAT coaching business (and would be willing to be investors!).</p>
<p>I'd back Xiggi's business. At the very least, he should write a book. I suspect it would be far better than anything out there now.</p>
<p>Someone somewhere else on this forum suggested reading the front page of the Wall Street Journal was good SAT test prep. I just used some old airline miles to subscribe! :) It will be required reading for my 10th grader, BEFORE he starts his daily dose of Xbox live. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I think it's ALL a scam! The tests and the huge test prep industry. It is such a joke! Take the test, retake, retake, retake, prep-prep-prep.... take the 770 scored over there... add the 800 scored over here, and I am some kind of a genius 1570 SAT scorer!!!! Thank GOD you still see some 1600 scores rejected from top schools. </p>
<p>I would like to try the "open fine wine administer test" strategy. Will that make me a proctorogist? :)</p>
<p>Much of the strategy for prepping for these tests depends on how much time you have available.</p>
<p>Looking far ahead, the best thing a high school frosh can do is take rigorous courses in math, English, and social studies; read a lot on the side; get engaged in EC's that also promote reading/analysis (debate, Quiz Bowl, etc.). In other words, work on the fundamentals rather than just on prepping for "how to take the test." This approach worked just fine for my kids, both of whom scored quite satisfactorily the first time they took the SAT I and SAT II in 11th and 12th grades and therefor they didn't have to repeat any test or to do any special prep.</p>
<p>However, if there's little remaining time, or if the first experience of taking the tests suggests a performance that is well below fundamental ability, then it's reasonable to focus the prep on learning the ins-and-outs of the tests, including whatever short-cuts and "techniques" might help.</p>
<p>I don't believe in test prep. I come from a family whose total annual income is less than 10K, so we would not have been able to afford one anyways. Instead, I borrowed all the SAT books available at my public library, and studied from those. I also tried to memorize Barron's list of 3000 words. Actually learnt about 1500-2500. I also went online to sparknotes and did those practise tests. In all, I did about 20 practise tests and countless exercises and ended up getting a very good score. </p>
<p>On the other hand, my friend who took the PR course improved by nearly 200 points. However, I don't think it was the course so much that helped her but rather her own hardwork.</p>
<p>I think it's really up to the individual. If you truly want that score and are willing to sweat for it, then you will get that score. If you're lazy and are relying on prep courses...then you will only be disappointed. Prep companies cannot offer you any magical formulas.</p>
<p>I took a Kaplan course and thought that the course itself was rather useless. What I did find helpful though, was the fact that I could just go to the test center pretty much whenever and take practice SATs. They provided a quiet environment, they timed me, they graded the test right then and there.</p>
<p>I knew I wouldn't have the self-discipline to dedicate three hours on a Saturday morning to taking a practice test at home, where there were plentiful distractions, so in terms of facilitating practice, Kaplan was pretty good. I don't know if it was worth the $800+ my parents paid, but it was worth something.</p>
<p>If a kid has the discipline to self-study, they should go for it. What prep services offer is no different than what many could do for themselves. Kaplan simply gave me an environment to practice in and allowed me to make time to just go and do it. </p>
<p>I ended up taking the SATs for real only once and was pretty generally satisfied with my score. (I got a 1480 and decided against taking it again.) Practicing helped though, not the actual Kaplan course or their "methods" and "tricks".</p>
<p>Daughter's best friend took a Princeton Review course and went down 100 points. Not to say it doesn't work, but I simply thought that the discipline of the program alone would improve someone's SAT study habits. Daughter did the work by herself and found her scores went up significantly with only 10 Real SATs and a few 20 dollar prep books.</p>
<p>Son's scores went up 150 points as well with the same method: 10 Real SATs. He finally wanted to do well on the test. That's what it takes.</p>
<p>Both of my kids studied on their own with good results. They are very different students, but both improved greatly from their efforts. My son is a top student and great test taker, with math being his strong point. Taking practice SATs was enough for him to earn an 800 in math. Like CNCM above, he spent a lot of time memorizing the Barron's word list and raised his verbal score from in the 60's for his PSAT to 700 on his first SAT to 790 on the second try. I don't think every student would have the self discipline or memorizing ability to do this, but it worked for him. My daughter is a very good student, but math is her weaker area. She studied mostly the Kaplan's review books on her own, as the Barron's math book actually went beyond what was needed and confused her and she didn't have the time or patience to memorize 3000 words. She was able to raise her math score to 66 on the PSAT and 640 for the SAT from a preliminary score of 55 in tenth grade. For the verbal, she studied too, doing practice tests, and earned 740 for her final score. I agree with others who have said that many students do not have the self-discipline to study, and the main benefit of the courses is providing a structured time period for study and practice. Also, my comments apply to the old SAT and I don't know if the situation is different in any way with the new test.</p>